presents

Beauty Masks are having a moment right now. They are catchy, sweet, and functional all at the same time. Recently when at Barney’s picking out my MIL’s birthday present, I decided to buy one and try it myself. See below for more on the Dermovia Rejuvenating Collagen Lace Your Face Mask.

It comes in this little packaging which is perfect for traveling or a care package.

Memorial Day is right around the corner, but it still feels like unpredictable-March-like weather in NYC. I am having a hard time remembering what month we are in because the weather truly makes it feel like early Spring and not LATE Spring. But here we are. Sitting. Waiting. So here is what I am currently loving this month! Take a look:

I am guilty of loving the Oprah magazine…..a loyal reader for more than a decade! This past issue, she featured little animal speakers that connect via bluetooth to your phone. I decided to get them for the kids for the holidays, but of course had to check them out myself. And it is magic! Such a tiny little animal that makes such a good loud sound!

My new favorite sweatshirts are from Sold Out! Hurry up before they are sold out (original joke, I know). There are four versions of the sweatshirt, all with different sayings and colors, each one equally cool and hip.

As a kid, I made my own personalized designed plates. I have such fond memories of drawing them with my brother and our friends. Even now during the summers, my parents pull out those same plates so our kids can use them.

Here we are with Winter Break around the corner (SAY WHHHHHAAAT!!!??) and so here is a round-up of what currently makes me smile, laugh, and blush with love and affection. Like a cuddle or a kiss, this is what I am currently loving (almost as much as a big smooch and embrace from my loved ones)! Enjoy!

Although my son, Cruz, had all his baby teeth in by the time he was 6 months old, he has yet to lose a tooth. Nonetheless, I am prepared for when he DOES! I found the cutest and chicest tooth pillow for him when the big day comes.

Totally biased, but I tend to think my kids are the cutest little munchkins in the world (#humblebrag) and people always ask me where I buy my clothes for them. EASIEST ANSWER EVER: Little Circus! Little Circus is an e-commerce site for kids clothes, toys, and gifts. It really has everything and anything that you want to buy for kids, and better yet, it is created, owned, and operated by my dear friend, Jenna Lonstein. Jenna is a hip, young, fashionable mother of two, who started this company several years ago. (Read on for a special promo code for Josie Girl readers!)

This brush is a miracle worker. It allows you to brush your hair (and your kids’ hair) when the hair is wet (or dry) without tear! It detangles the hair quicker and more easily than any other brush around. Cheap and effective.

Happy Monday! Nothing better to start the week than to look at some beautifully handmade spoons! And these spoons are HANDSOME! Created by Wind and Willow, these are an updated version of your grandmother’s kitchen spoon. They are part wood, and part rubber. The rubber is soft, food safe is easy to grip and comfortable to use. And the colors are vibrant, fun, and cheery. A more modern and chic look to your everyday kitchen needs.

Once again, another friend who is uber talented, smart, beautiful, and accomplished. GEEZ, so inspiring it makes me in awe! My friend, Jennie, is truly an example of an exceptional woman; Harvard grad (not too shabby), mother of two (cutie pa tooties), blonde, beautiful, peppy, energetic, and NOW a founder of the company Me & Ewe. Damn lady. She is also married to the co-founder of OK Cupid (No Big Deal, just some website that matches up MILLIONS of people each year and creates happily-ever-afters) and has entrepreneurial blood running through her veins. Me & Ewe is a sock company — made for kids and adults to match. The idea is fresh, fun, and fabulous. Take a look! So impressed, excited, and thrilled for Jennie’s new company.

I mean, how adorable is this lady? Selling her socks old-school at a children’s library. Everything in this picture is just too cheeky cute.

A proud Oregonian, I was thrilled to find these Locally Grown tee shirts last summer at a local Eugenian store, Plume Red. They come in multiple sizes — even for little ones. A matching family of Locally Grown Oregon shirts! Pinch-cheek-cute!

Mother’s Day is around the corner….literally, 6 days away! So time to get online, double click, and get yo mama some Natori gear! And this year, there is so much goodness at Natori that it is hard to dwindle down a selection. Everything at Natori is on fire right now. Seriously, you could go to www.natori.com, close your eyes, randomly start clicking on items and voila, you would have the perfect gift for your mother. All of the items are beautiful, luxurious, stylish, comfortable, and must have. But since that is not reality, here is my MOTHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE. Enjoy, and special treat: you get 20% off orders of $250 or more with the code LOVEMOM2014 at checkout (through May 11th)!

I am a huge supporter of small companies from Eugene, Oregon. Although I live in NYC, I still feel like a true Eugeneian, and am always so proud of local companies that sell products across the country (and globe!), like Nancy’s Yogurt, Toby’s Tofu, and So Delicious, just to name a few. I am especially in awe of Wee Can Too, a kids art supply company, created by a high school classmate, Sarid Ditton, and her partner Nicole (go South Eugene!). Sarid and Nicole are current examples of exemplary women with a goal and a dream (The Josie Natori of Art Supplies!). Trust me, the products are truly amazing!

Need a present for the upcoming holiday? Want to support small stores with beautiful products? Then stroll by, Strolby, an online shopping site focused on items sold in Brooklyn (New York) but sold on one platform to people across the country! The site, which is aesthetically appealing and unique, helps local small shops with truly beautiful and original items reach big audiences (so the neighborhood can still feel small).

YEAH, I KNOW, this post is totally in your face about buying Natori, but hey, that is in part what I’m about. And not only should I promote Natori items, but I want to as well! So here are my top Natori gift items for Holiday 2013. And some pictures of the Natori (senior’s) Winter Wonderland apartment.

Born in Portland, Oregon, as of September 2013 (brand stinking new!) Camp Wolf was inspired by a love for Pacific Northwestern life and a passion for making cool clothes for cool kids. Everything is hand sewn and one-of-a-kind — recycled vests with Pendleton fabric — to create a cheery, hip, and stylish look for kids ranging from newborn to 5 years old. Original and unique!

I do not have a green thumb. Actually quite the opposite, as every plant I ever get dies within a month or two. I love orchids, but I always gets sad when they wilt away, become flowerless, and end up turning into a big, depressing, bleak twig. So I was terribly happy (is that an oxymoron?) when I found handmade paper flowers from The Green Vase, when wandering around one of my favorite stores: John Derian. Continue Reading →

Having been a math teacher for 10 years and a student before that, this will be my first Fall without going back to ‘school.’ Freshly retired, (I will still be private tutoring, and of course, writing the blog!) I still love the feeling of buying school supplies, starting a new year, and becoming (more) organized. Here are my favorite supplies slash beauty products slash accessories, for “Back to School.”

While totally old fashioned and retro, I have a soft spot for all letterpress and stationary (gasp!). And I have totally fallen in love with the wittiness and humor of the cards from Dude and Chick Letterpress. The founders, self described as a dude and a chick from Minnesota, sell their cards at various boutiques nationwide and on etsy.

Confession! I am a hoarder! And one of the items I hoard is lip balm. I am constantly on the lookout for the best, most divine, practical, beautiful, tasty lip balm out there. And I can never have too many! The more the merrier! Here are my four favorite right now:

Spending the last few weeks with my parents has reintroduced me to some of their daily routines… such as my father’s coffee brewing. My father is snobby about his coffee (just like I am with granola, grocery stores, gym clothes, and many many other things). He now swears by the AeroPress, which he likes even more than the French press. And after comparing them all, I totally agree… I am now a converted AeroPress user! Using an AeroPress is a fast, easy and convenient way to brew excellent coffee. For whatever reason, the pressure heightens the sweetness and body in each cup. It tastes like a barista made it themselves.